Beijing Mayor Liu Qi welcomed the La Scala Theater of Italy to participate in the 5th Beijing Music Festival next year, and said the Beijing Municipal Government will provide support, in a meeting Wednesday with Cesare Romiti, president of the Italian-Chinese Institute.
Liu said Beijing, China's political and cultural center, boasts flourishing cultural activities and well-equipped theaters. It expects to host more performances of world-renowned troupes.
He cited the city's past four music festivals, saying this annual festival has become Asia's biggest, and said he hoped that the La Scala Theater's participation will inject more vigor into it and help promote the friendly exchanges and cooperation between the two countries and their peoples.
The Institute, set up in 1971, has been active in promoting bilateral relations and cooperation between the two sides.
The Italian visitors are here to discuss their participation in the festival with the Chinese side.
( People's Daily November 22, 2001)
